Last weekend, tragedy struck in New Chicago, Indiana, where two men met their ends in a chain of events that culminated with police gunfire. According to FOX32 Chicago, around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a residence on the 200 block of Huber Boulevard for a report of a deceased person. Upon arrival, authorities found Aaron Onohan, 46, who had died from what the Lake County Coroner's Office later determined to be acute cardiac arrest, a death ruled natural.
The scene took a dark turn when the 911 caller, Benjamin Scott, 64, became agitated and subsequently was shot by law enforcement inside the home. The Indiana State Police confirmed that two New Chicago officers were involved in the shooting that resulted in Scott's death from gunshot wounds, a death the coroner has since ruled a homicide. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure as the investigation unfolds. The names of the officers have yet to be released, pending their interviews.
As noted by CBS News Chicago, no officers were injured during the incident. Chief Earl Mayo of the New Chicago Police Department expressed remorse for the situation, stating, "On behalf of the New Chicago Police Department, we want to express our deepest condolences to the family of those who lost their loved one on Saturday afternoon. This is a tragic event, and our thoughts are with those who are grieving. We understand the seriousness of this incident and the impact it has on our small community. A thorough and transparent investigation is underway and we are fully committed to ensuring the facts are brought forward."
The Indiana State Police are currently conducting the investigation, which they are to forward to the Lake County Prosecutor's Office for review upon completion. The incident has reportedly left the small community shaken as they now wait to fully understand what transpired within the walls of the New Chicago home that Saturday afternoon.
